Roxanne finished her bracelet soon after. When she swung her gaze to the side, she saw Estella's head was still buried over her desk, so she silently sat at her station, waiting for Estella to finish.
“Ms. Jarvis!”
A while later, Estella's voice rang out beside her. She turned around to see a finished sea shell keychain dangling in front of her.
Roxanne was stunned briefly. Thinking Estella wanted her to comment on her craft, Roxanne praised, “It's beautiful.”
The shell Estella picked up was already pretty and colorful by itself. When Estella attached a blue chain to the shell, the final product looked lovely.
It'll look great to hang on Essie's bag.
Delight filled Roxanne's eyes at the thought of Estella walking around carrying a bag with the sea shell keychain.
The next second, Estella’s voice rang again. “This is for you!”
The smile on Roxanne's face stiffened for a while before casting a look of disbelief at the little girl.
I remembered how happy Estella was when she picked up the seashell. Yet, she's willing to part with something she loves so much as a present to me. So she was distressed earlier about what to give me.
A hint of guilt surged within Roxanne at the realization.
I don't know what's so good about me that makes her like me so much.
Estella thought Roxanne didn't like her present when Roxanne didn't respond. Her shoulders slumped, looking crestfallen. “You don't like it,
Ms. Jarvis?”
But I did it exactly as Ms. Jarvis told me.
Estella's voice pulled Roxanne's thoughts back. More guilt surged within her when she caught the sad look on Estella's face.
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